Chelseafcguy

Arsenal looks like they have done very, very little to improve their defence. Maitland-Niles looks like he'll be out and I think many have seen Bellerin's defensive prowess... or lack thereof. While Chelsea have a long way to go, they at least showed some signs of life in their opening match. City could have had a lot more. Now, Arsenal head away from home.. Chelsea 3-1. I think Arsenal's strikers will nick one but think CFC's possession will wear them out and a fully fit Hazard should torment them.

I agree it is a worry but I think CFC will be ready to go as these top guns get back into form and fitness from the World Cup. Against Lyon, I thought we created quite a few chances. How Giroud didn't score chipping the goalie, I don't know. It was a concern the raw number of goals scored but overall, I enjoyed their possession and thought they created a good amount of chances. Sarri, given his history, seems to be a realist with his comments and not say something just to say it or make anyone else feel better. And he said "in two or three months, I think we'll be pretty good." So, I know it will take some time. But, when it does arrive, I think CFC can be pretty good. Hopefully, part of that "good" starts Saturday.

Kepa Azpilicueta Luiz Rudiger Emerson Jorginho Kante Barkley Willian Morata Hazard - Really excited to watch Kepa. Well, I should say I hope he does nothing and Chelsea retain possession the entire match. - Sarri has spoken decently well about Luiz and my hunch is he is one of his 2 preferred CB's even though I like Christensen much more, especially long-term. - Emerson offers a little more with his pace and athletically as opposed to Alonso. - Barkley, like Morata, has a LOT to prove this season. Hopefully they both can stay healthy, find some form and make CFC very tough to beat. - Hazard in Sarri's system can be an absolute world-beater. As a few have hinted, Huddersfield have had a bit more time together and the World Cup didn't really hinder or impede any of their pre-season progress. I expect they'll be a tougher outfit to crack down earlier in the campaign than maybe they would be in December. Hoping Hazard can show his class and hit a winner for us. UTC.

Last year we took 4 points against the other 3 in the Top Four. This year, we have already taken 9 points. That is, with easy math, 5 more points than last season and we still have trips to Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal at home. Assuming Manchester City will be taking Liverpool's place for 4th or Tottenham taking their place (who we beat) we are in good shape. A win today could be very, very important for the title. Everton, Tottenham, Man Utd and Liverpool away will be our only remaining difficult away fixtures for the season. Of those 4: Everton are on terrible form and they very well may still be short on numbers come early February. Man Utd, Tottenham and Liverpool are all part of our last 6 matches where, hopefully we can have it wrapped up. To have it wrapped up, we need a result today. A draw wouldn't be the worst thing. But, if we win, then it would seem quite, quite likely (to me at least) that we will win the league.

Kalou partnering Borini is the word tonight. Alex, Deco, Sturridge, Drogba, Anelka, Carvalho, Bosingwa not taking part

Guys, We have a 17-game stretch in the middle of the season where we only play one of the "big 4" and it's Arsenal at home. During that 17-game stretch we only have four games against the "top 6" and it's home to AV, Everton, Arsenal and away to Everton

Who does everyone think we will get on opening day? I'll say Sunderland home.